Thousands rally in Romania's capital to support far-right Georgescu after annulled presidential race

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Romania’s capital on Saturday in a show of support for Călin Georgescu, the far-right populist who emerged as the front-runner in last year’s presidential race that was annulled days before the second-round runoff.

Many of the demonstrators in central Bucharest waved Romania’s blue, yellow and red flags, while others brandished placards bearing slogans such as “President Georgescu” and “We want the second round to be resumed.” The presidential election is set to be rerun in May, but some have demanded a resumption of the canceled race.

The protest comes after the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the election just two days before a Dec. 8 runoff. Georgescu — who was polling in single digits and declared zero campaign spending — shocked many when he won the first round on Nov. 24, after which allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged.

Georgescu, a 62-year-old who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past as “a man who loves his country" and called Ukraine “an invented state,” has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and argued the election was “canceled illegally and unconstitutionally.”

“Democracy will return ... We are the allies, we are the people, we have the power!” Georgescu, who briefly attended the rally, wrote on his X account on Saturday.

The rally on Saturday also came after U.S. Vice President JD Vance lashed out on two separate occasions at Romania in the past week for canceling the elections, which he alleged was ruled on “flimsy suspicions" and “enormous pressure” from Romania's continental neighbors.

One placard at Saturday’s protest read: “Thank you J.D. Vance … for your support.”

The canceled presidential race in December plunged the European Union and NATO member country into turmoil and followed other controversies including a recount of first-round votes.

New dates have been set to rerun the vote with the first round scheduled for May 4. If no candidate obtains more than 50% of the ballot, a runoff would be held two weeks later on May 18. It wasn't yet clear whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the new election.

Supporters of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians also attended Saturday’s protest to gather signatures backing Georgescu’s candidacy.

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, waves to supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, waves to supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, waves to supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, waves to supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, waves to supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, shakes hands with one of the thousands of supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

Calin Georgescu, the winner of Romania's first round of presidential election, annulled by the Constitutional Court, uses crutches walking between supporters gathered for a protest outside the Romanian parliament in Bucharest, Romania, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alexandru Dobre)

In a box office battle of the sequels, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” had the slight edge over “Mortal Kombat II” in North American theaters this weekend. According to studio estimates Sunday, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” earned a chart topping $43 million in its second weekend, while “Mortal Kombat II” took in $40 million in its first.

This weekend had wide variety of newcomers playing in wide release, including the family-friendly whodunnit “The Sheep Detectives” and a James Cameron co-directed Billie Eilish concert film.

But it was the holdover that triumphed. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which has grossed $433.2 million worldwide in its first 12 days in release, helped push The Walt Disney Studios over $2 billion globally for the year. It’s also surpassed the total grosses of the first film, which earned $327 million globally in 2006, not accounting for inflation.

“Mortal Kombat II” provided some gendered counterprogramming in the second weekend of Hollywood's summer movie season. Warner Bros. opened the movie in 3,503 locations where it drew a heavily male audience. According to PostTrak, 75% of the ticket buyers were men. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” had almost the exact opposite gender breakdown on its first weekend.

The first movie in this series, “Mortal Kombat,” was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021 as a part of Warner Bros.’ pandemic-era day-and-date strategy. Reviews have been mixed for the sequel, as was its B CinemaScore. It also earned $23 million from 78 markets internationally, adding up to a $63 million global debut.

“Michael” landed in third place in its third weekend with another $36.5 million over the weekend, down only 33% from last weekend. The Michael Jackson biopic has now earned $240.5 million in North America, surpassing the total domestic grosses of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and $577.4 million globally.

Fourth place went to Amazon MGM Studios' “The Sheep Detectives” which brought in $15.9 million in its first weekend in 3,457 theaters. The quirky, all-ages murder mystery features a starry ensemble including Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson and Nicholas Braun, as well as the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Regina Hall and Patrick Stewart as the sheep who try to figure out who murdered their shepherd. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore. The movie cost a reported $75 million to produce.

Rounding out the top five was “Billie Eilish—Hit Me Hard & Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” an immersive concert experience which Cameron shared co-directing credits on with Eilish. Paramount released the movie in 2,613 theaters, where it earned $7.5 million in North America and $12.6 million internationally. The movie was very well reviewed by critics (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences, who gave it an A CinemaScore.

James Cameron, left, and Billie Eilish pose for photographers upon arrival a the screening of the film 'Hit me Hard and Soft: The Tour' on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Martyn Ford, from left, Tati Gabrielle, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan and Mehcad Brooks pose for photographers upon arrival at the European Fan Event of the film 'Mortal Kombat II' on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)